"If the Georgian Dream continues following Lukashenko's path, the EU will be forced to react and reassess Georgia’s fulfillment including visa liberalization, benchmarks," said European Parliament member Rasa Yukneviciane, a member of the European People's Party group.
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At the debate on Georgia held before the adoption of the resolution, Yukneviciane said that the European Parliament sends a very clear message to Bidzina Ivanishvili and the members of Georgian Dream - "membership in the EU is incompatible with their politics. You can not be pro-European and pro-Kremlin at the same time."
As Rasa Yukneviciane stated, the European Parliament will closely monitor the upcoming elections.
"We once again reiterate that the conduct of elections should fully adhere to international standards," said the European parliamentarian.
Rasa Yukneviciane is one of the initiators of the EU Parliament resolution on democratic backsliding and threats to political pluralism in Georgia". It will be voted for in the European Parliament today, October 9.
As per the draft resolution, the European Parliament expresses deep concern over the democratic backsliding that has developed in Georgia this year, and especially before the October 26, 2024 parliamentary elections.
The European Parliament categorically condemns the adoption of the Transparency of Foreign Influence and Family Values and Protection of Minors laws. Also, the amendments made to the Election Code, as it believes that the above are tools that the government will use to violate freedom of expression, censor the media, impose restrictions on critical voices of civil society and the non-governmental sector, or discriminate against vulnerable people. The European Parliament emphasizes that these laws are incompatible with EU values and democratic principles, contradict Georgia's ambitions to join the EU, damage the country's international reputation and threaten its Euro-Atlantic integration. At the same time, the European Parliament strongly emphasizes that if the above-mentioned legislation is not repealed, Georgia's relations with the European Union will not be able to progress.
Bidzina Ivanishvili, honorary chairman of Georgian Dream, is referred to as a “Georgia’s oligarch” in the draft resolution. The resolution condemns comments made by Ivanishvili and leading government figures who threaten to ban opposition parties and label the opposition as a "criminal political force." "Such intimidation seriously undermines the political process and freedom of expression and contributes to an environment of fear," the document states.
Additionally, the draft resolution condemns Bidzina Ivanishvili's "personal role" in the current political crisis and his attempts to “undermine the Euro-Atlantic orientation of the country in favor of pivoting towards Russia”.
If approved, the European Parliament will reiterate its call to the European Council and the democratic partners of the European Union to impose immediate sanctions on Ivanishvili.
The draft resolution expresses deep concern over Russia's influence in Georgia, including increased immigration from Russia and growing trade ties with that country. It also addresses Georgia's willingness to continue reconciliation efforts with Russia despite its war in Ukraine and occupation of one-fifth of Georgia's sovereign territory. The European Parliament calls on the Georgian government to impose sanctions on Russia in response to its aggressive war against Ukraine, to maintain its previous policy of non-recognition of occupied territories, and to respect its commitment to implement effective measures to prevent the circumvention of European sanctions. The Government of Georgia is also urged to fully align with EU foreign policy and the EU strategy toward Russia.
According to the draft resolution, the European Parliament firmly reiterates its demand for the immediate and unconditional release of Mikheil Saakashvili on humanitarian grounds for treatment abroad.
"The upcoming elections will be decisive in determining Georgia’s future democratic development and geopolitical choice, as well its ability to make progress with its EU member state candidacy," the draft resolution reads.
The authors of the joint resolution project include the European People's Party (PPE), Renew Europe (Renew), Alliance for European Freedom (Verts/ALE), Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D), and European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) groups.
